Fruhwirth Giggling All the Way to Bank

Now Amy Fruhwirth really has something to giggle about.

Fruhwirth, 29, earned her first LPGA tour victory Sunday when she shot an even-par 72 to win the Friendly’s Classic at Agawam, Mass. She earned $90,000.

Nicknamed “Giggles,” because that’s what she does when she’s nervous, Fruhwirth parred the last 12 holes to hold off Charlotta Sorenstam and Kim Saiki by two strokes.

“I’m not one for a lot of words,” said Fruhwirth, a 1986 graduate of Cypress High. “But it’s the best feeling in the world, the best accomplishment.”

Fruhwirth finished at eight-under 280 for 72 holes at the 6,381-yard Crestview Country Club. Her lone bogey of the weekend came in the final round on the par-three No. 6, and she parred out from there.

Saiki bogeyed the par-four 15th and birdied No. 16, failing to gain ground on the leader. She finished with a 71 and tied at 282 with Sorenstam, who shot a 70.

*

Britain’s Brian Barnes, a recovering alcoholic who five years ago was contemplating suicide, came from three shots back to win the $1.1-million AT&T; Canada Senior Open at Calgary, Canada.

“I’d be dead if I hadn’t stopped drinking,” Barnes said. “This is a bonus just playing the tournament.”

Barnes earned his first Senior PGA Tour victory--and $165,000--with a four-under-par 68 that left him two strokes ahead of three players.

Barnes, 53, started the final round three shots behind third-round leader Walter Hall. His final round, which included an eagle with a 75-foot putt at the par-five 14th, gave him an 11-under 277 total.

Dana Quigley also had a 68 and finished tied for second at 279 with Bruce Summerhays and Tom Jenkins, who had 70s. Hall, who had bogeys on Nos. 3, 7 and 8, finished with a 74 and was alone at 280.